Replies

1. 
   UncleDunc | Dec 14, 2003 09:58pm | #1

   You can buy or build a phase converter that will run a 3 phase motor off ordinary household current. Their is some loss of efficiency involved.

   It's possible that the current draw of a 3 phase motor plus the energy loss in the converter would overload your electrical service while a single phase motor of the same nominal horsepower would not, but that would be true only in a narrow horesepower range.

   There have been lots of discussions here on 3 phase motors. Have you done a search?

2. 
   Drose | Dec 14, 2003 10:38pm | #2

   I bought a used powermatic saw for a 1000 dollars and got a three phase machine. Did a lot of research and just replaced the three phase motor with the single phase.  Even with the three horse motor, i can still cut 12/4 hard maple with ease and the instructions for changing the switch and the motor are in the manual which you can find online.  The three horse baldor made to replace the five horse 3 ph ran me 320 or so

3. 
   Tao | Dec 14, 2003 11:23pm | #3

   It's your money, but $1600 seems an awful lot of money for a used 66, especially if it's 3-phase.  You can buy a new one around here fully equipped for $2200, with a single phase motor.  I bought mine used and in excellent conditon for $1000, and seldom see them offered for more than $1200.

   By far the most practical course would be to simply replace the motor if it's three phase.  The starter will work on a single phase motor; you wll have to replace the heaters, probably.  Converters are fine for some applications but I wouldn't think they'd be too great for a single tool in  home shop.  Problem is, by the time you pay for a motor or converter, you would be so close to the cost of a new one as to make no difference.

   Michael R.

4. 
   rslatm | Dec 15, 2003 03:00am | #4

   Does it have a Biesemeyer fence on it or the old jet lock style on the round tubes? If it's the old style run from that deal as fast as you can. You can get a new Jet or Delta new for around that price. I bought my PM 66 because it was the only left tilt at the time besides Craftsman. PM 66 isn't that different from a Delta or Jet in the long run. If I was looking today for a similar saw I would definitely go with the Jet. Three phase machines usually sell a few hundred less. By the time you change the motor or set up a converter you will be well over budget and for an old saw yet. Bad investment!!!! Let it go!
1. 
   NOTRIX1 | Dec 15, 2003 08:13am | #5

   Thanks all for the replys.

   I had gotten the answer just as I was posting and clicked off the page but my 1/2 done post went through.

   Anyway it's an older 66 with a 3hp 220 motor. Has an HTC mobile base and some sort of run out table attached. Sounds kinda cool. I've yet to see it.

   Now I know Powermatic went through some changes a few years back going the Taiwan route and I always had a bit more respect for the older USA models. The left tilt and just seemed a notch up on Deltas. I'm not seeing any used ones at all around here but seems I remember seeing one a few months/year ago that was going for closer to $2000.

   We're working a trade so I'm sure it'll work out.

   Thanks,

   N

1. 
   rslatm | Dec 15, 2003 05:20pm | #6

   Make sure it has a modern retro-fit fence and not the old pipe style fence.  The Delta or Jet are up to par with the PM.  It more the operator than the saw in the long run.